Next
Now we have to contend with another toxic culprit, bioengineered food. Rapidly becoming a global menace, this demon child of major chemical companies like Monsanto (the same company who brought to us bovine growth hormone, Nutrasweet, and Round-Up) involves the control of seed companies and farmers in the production of commodity foods such as soybean, grains, and corn, genetically engineered to resist herbicide damage, therefore allowing application of more herbicides and pesticides onto crops. The major chemical companies intend to focus on greater food production for a growing global population rather than on the political and economic problems of inefficient food resource distribution. For the purpose of the bottom line, more food production will require more herbicide use, and food commodities that can resist herbicides will provide the supply for the supposed global demand. A large and growing body of evidence to support this claim exists and references are available at the MEC.
People Who Know
Illuminating for the public the dangers of toxic substances, The Center for Ethics and Toxics (CETOS) is located in Gualala on the south coast of Mendocino County. The organization is run by Britt Bailey, a graduate student earning a Masters in Science degree in Environment and Technology, and Dr. Marc Lappe', a renowned biologist, toxicologist, and immunologist, who has written several books on the subject of chemical damage to our bodies' natural defense systems. Among his books are "When Antibiotics Fail; Restoring the Ecology of the Body," and his latest publication, "The Tao of Immunology."
CETOS works to provide the public with information on toxic substances and the alternatives to their use. After exerting pressure on Caltrans prior to last year's rainy season, CETOS served on the county advisory committee to Caltrans, advising them on the foreseeable effects of their proposed herbicide spraying on county roads. They then worked with other groups to list alternatives such as planting and maintaining native drought- and freeze-resistant plants along the roads to prevent invasive weeds. CETOS reaches out to local realtors and homeowners by making available informational packets on household toxic use and how to prevent their misuse. Dr. Lappe' can refer licensed experts for appraisals of toxic substances in your home. The organization has information on home water purification and how to go about getting a water quality test for domestic well water systems. CETOS can also refer you to legal counsel for advice concerning current toxics legislation and guidelines for property owners to follow the rules in the Real Estate Disclosure Act. This piece of legislation demands that property sellers inform buyers and their realtors of any known hazardous material on the property. Where foul play is proven, the liability rests on the seller.
Beginning Locally
The Mendocino coast is where a dozen or more little communities thrive and enjoy living in a most dynamic ecosystem. The patterns of a maritime climate, the flux and runs of coastal watersheds, and the awe of redwood forests bring people here. People have been traveling to the coast for centuries to harvest food and marvel at the abundance of ecological activity here. They swim, surf, dive, fish, hike, camp, watch, paint and otherwise feel the soothing pull of Nature. It is important to protect this privilege of being able to have Nature, to go to it when the city gets to be too much. When humans get us down, we need other animals to make us feel less alone.
It is important to eliminate the things around us that adversely affect us, wear down our natural strength and vitality, poison us. CETOS hopes to develop the coastal city of Point Arena into a Toxic Free Zone, meaning the coordination of a good-faith effort to mobilize citizens to eliminate toxics in their homes, businesses, administrative buildings, schools, and public spaces. CETOS plans to have several fun and educational events that would draw people's interest, inform the public of the issues, and offer information on the alternatives to toxic use. As a model for other small communities to follow, Toxic Free Zones throughout Mendocino County and the Pacific Northwest would serve to strengthen the larger grassroots movement against toxics (creating more political clout in the legislature and during elections).
How They Know
Currently working on public awareness of bioengineered food crops, CETOS gets facts about the issue by researching incident and annual reports of chemical companies. They source material from science journals such as Nature and Biotechnology, and use Medline, the National Library of Medicine internet service that provides information on any medical studies published in the U.S. One important tool that CETOS uses to gain information on toxics issues is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) file request. Bailey uses this request procedure often to get information from the Federal Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency on government records and various research studies performed by companies. CETOS networks with research scientists at universities and environmentalists around the world. They have regular contact with Mothers for Natural Law in Iowa, Third World Network, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and the Pure Food Campaign.
More Things We Should Know
CETOS is concerned about a recent incident with the EPA over an FOIA request for files on the Monsanto Company's Incident Report and Annual Report explaining the 1996 failure of Bollgard crops in Texas (Bollgard is the trademark name for a genetically engineered cotton hybrid designed to resist boll weevil insects). In order to assess whether or not these crops would be allowed to be planted for the1997 season, Monsanto Company was responsible for supplying the EPA with a full incident report as to why the crops failed. The case worker assigned to this request at the EPA delayed responding to CETOS until March 5, 1997. In a letter from Sharon McBride at the EPA, CETOS was told that these requested documents would take 2-4 months to acquire. On July 2, 1997, CETOS called the EPA about the status of the case #0547-97 and was told that this file request had been sent to Monsanto who had 30 days to respond to the request.
Concerned about the confidentiality of their request, CETOS telephoned the acting chief at EPA, Janet Bressant, to discuss the fact that the request had been sent to Monsanto without CETOS know-ledge. As CETOS understands it, the requested document is property of the EPA and not of the company. Responding to CETOS, the EPA informed the organization on July 28, 1997 that the file request had actually been sent out on July18, more than two weeks after the date that CETOS was told it was sent. The sluggish motion and wasted time that the EPA is taking with this particular file request gives the Monsanto Company time to decide whether or not CETOS will receive the documents at all.
CETOS is a non-profit organization and a project of the Tides Center. CETOS has acquired several grants to commence research and educational efforts but depends on donations from individuals who wish to support the ongoing work of toxics research. CETOS can be reached at (707) 884-1700, e-mailed via free internet service from the Mendocino Community Network at cetos@mcn.org. You can also get updates on their work and current issues when you visit their world wide website at www.cetos.org.
GARLON and YOU
by Julie Generic
Garlon is an endocrine disrupter. It mimics a plant hormone, acting systematically to kill the plant or tree. The hormone Garlon mimics is perceived by the mammalinan (including human) body as estrogen.
Endocrine disrupting or estrogen mimicking chemicals are known to cause damage to human and animal reproductive systems. In women, this manifests as breast cancer, miscarriages, infertility, possible birth defects and possible ovarian cancer. In men, side effects include prostate and/or testicular cancer, reduction of viable sperm and reduction of penis size in newborns.
Garlon Actions
March '97
Concerned neighbor calls LP regarding spraying. Receives no call back.
May
LP sprays near Comptche
July 8
LP forester finally calls neighbor back. Says spraying to occur in August and that they did not spray in Comptche in May.
July 28
First meeting of Comptche residents- 40 people attend.
August 12
Comptche demonstration - 60 people attend.
August 27
Civil disobedience/non-violence training- 30 people attend in Comptche.
September 16
Board of Supervisors meeting- Supes declare this a health issue. Form Ad-hoc committee.
October 7
Demonstration at Calpella gates of LP. Meeting with LP.
Demonstration at Board of Supervisors chamber
Demonstration at County AG Commissioners office
October 8
LP begins spraying in the Noyo Watershed
October 9
Concerned neighbor calls Water Quality Control Board
October 20
Tomville Flats sighting of Garlon spraying
November 8
Pesticide Free Future Meeting.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 1997
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited